There is no cure for hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy (HCM), but
treatment can help
Eric (Son),
Diagnosed with HCM in 2023
Actual consented person with HCM.
Kitty (Mother),
Diagnosed with HCM in 2024
Actual consented person with HCM.
Treatment Strategies
Treatment may depend on several things, including whether there is an obstruction in your heart or not and the severity of your symptoms
Management Strategies for Symptomatic Obstructive HCM (oHCM)
Medication options
Beta blockers*†
Considered first-line therapy
Calcium channel blockers*†
May be used instead of beta blockers
Disopyramide*†
May be used in people whose symptoms do not respond to beta blockers or calcium channel blockers
Cardiac myosin inhibitor
Medicine that is specifically designed for people with HCM
Invasive or surgical options
Septal reduction therapy*
An invasive or surgical procedure that may be used in oHCM to help relieve symptoms or obstruction in the heart
This is not a comprehensive list of all therapies for HCM. Other therapies to treat HCM-associated conditions may also be used.
*This treatment option may relieve symptoms but does not address the underlying condition.
†These medicines are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat HCM.
Besides starting therapy, you may also need to stop certain drugs that can make HCM worse. Talk with your cardiologist to make a treatment plan.
oHCM MEDICINES
Current recommended‡ medicines for oHCM
An HCM specialist will play a key role in assessing which treatments may be right for you and whether a change may be needed.
Medicines may not work well for some people, or they may cause side effects. Work with your cardiologist to find the right treatment for you. For some people, more invasive septal reduction therapy or SRT may be appropriate.
Beta blockers§
- Medicines that cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force
Disopyramide§ (dai·sow·pee·ruh·mide)
- Medicine that causes the heart to beat with less force
Calcium channel blockers§
- Medicines that allow the blood vessels to relax and open. Some calcium channel blockers also slow the heart rate
Cardiac myosin inhibitor (CMI)
- Medicine that is specifically designed for people with HCM to make the heart beat with less force
Some side effects of HCM treatment can be difficult to tell apart from HCM, and others may be difficult to manage. Known side effects of common treatments for HCM include fatigue, shortness of breath, depression, trouble sleeping, constipation, low heart rate, low blood pressure, dizziness, and fainting.
This is not a comprehensive list of all therapies for HCM. Other therapies to treat HCM-associated conditions may also be used.
‡Recommendations are developed and endorsed by the professional organizations and are used to help providers diagnose, screen, and manage people living with HCM. Professional organizations involved include American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, Heart Rhythm Society, Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society, and Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Available at: https://www.jacc.org/doi/epdf/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.014
§These medicines are not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to treat HCM.
You know your body best—if you are taking medicine and still experiencing symptoms, it may be time to talk to your cardiologist.
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